New Mexico Vehicle Registration

Motor Vehicles that must be registered in the state of New Mexico usually include passenger vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, trucks, motor homes, trailers, manufactured or mobile homes, buses, and off-highway vehicles, like ATVs and snowmobiles.

New Mexico is a state where the vehicle license plate follows the owner rather than the vehicle during New Mexico vehicle registrations. If the motor vehicle is sold, given as a gift, or traded in, the owner has the responsibility of removing the license plates from the vehicle. Within thirty (30) days of the transaction, the owner shall either take the license plate to Motor Vehicle Division to have it destroyed, or fill out an application to have the license plate assigned to another motor vehicle of the same class.

First-Time New Mexico Vehicle Registration

The first time you require a NM vehicle registration, you must do it personally at the Motor Vehicle Division field office. You will need to bring the following documents in order to complete the NM registration:

• Either the original dealer’s invoice of a certified copy of the dealer’s invoice for a New Mexico vehicle registration.
• Odometer statement which can be either the statement on the back of the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin, MVD Form 10187 or the Odometer Mileage Statement, or MVD Form 10003, the Application for Title and Registration.
• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin for a New Mexico vehicle registration.
• Proof of insurance which drivers must show for at least liability insurance. The minimum requirements for insurance are $25,000 for death or bodily injury for one person, $50,000 for death or bodily injury to two or more people, and $10,000 for any property damage in one accident. Proof can be either the current insurance card, copy of current insurance policy, or a letter from the insurance company on company letterhead verifying coverage.
• Proof of residency in New Mexico for a New Mexico vehicle registration.
• Proof of identity, both with and without a social security number.

First-Time New Mexico Vehicle Registration for a Used Vehicle

The first time you require a NM registration for a used vehicle, you go to the Motor Vehicle Division field office. You will need to bring the following documents in order to complete the NM vehicle registration:

• The current certificate of title which contains the assignment of title section completed and signed by the previous owner. This must be the original title and not a copy.
• Odometer statement which can be either the statement on the back of the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin, MVD Form 10187 or the Odometer Mileage Statement, or MVD Form 10003, the Application for Title and Registration for a New Mexico vehicle registration.
• Proof of insurance which drivers must show for at least liability insurance. The minimum requirements for insurance are $25,000 for death or bodily injury for one person, $50,000 for death or bodily injury to two or more people, and $10,000 for any property damage in one accident. Proof can be either the current insurance card, copy of current insurance policy, or a letter from the insurance company on company letterhead verifying coverage.
• Proof of residency in New Mexico for a New Mexico vehicle registration.
• Proof of identity, both with and without a social security number.

Fees for New Mexico Vehicle Registration

The NM registration fee for passenger motor vehicles is based on the model year and vehicle weight. NM vehicle Registration fees range between $27.00 and $62.00 for a one-year NM registration period or between $54.00 and $124.00 for a two-year registration.

NM vehicle registration fees for trucks that have a declared gross vehicle weight of up to 26,000 pounds are also based on the model year and vehicle weight. NM vehicle registration fees range between $38.00 and $207.00 for a one-year NM registration or from $76.00 to $414.00 for two-year NM vehicle registration.

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